ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the effect of hypoxic preconditioning on the activity and gene expressions of glu-cose transporters in the cultured rat hippocampal neurons and astrocytes under anoxic condition. Methods The cultured rat hippocampal neurons and astrocytes were treated for 6 days by intermittently exposing to hypoxic gas mixture (1% O_2, 10% CO_2, 89% N_2) for20 min each day. 24 h after the last hypoxic exposure, the cells were exposed to anoxic gas mixture (10% CO_2, 90% N_2) for 6 h, and the uptake rate of [~3H]-2-deoxyglucose (2-DG), the levels of glucose transporter GLUT1 and GLUT3 mRNAs and the cell survival rate were examined im-mediately after anoxic exposure. Results Neurons and astrocytes preconditioned with hypoxia showed higher 2-DG uptake rates and increased expressions of GLUT 1 mRNA in the astrocytes and GLUT 1 and GLUT 3 mRNA in the neurons. The preconditioned neurons also showed an increased tolerance to anoxia. Conclusion Hypoxic precon-ditioning up-regulates the activity and gene expressions of glucose transporters of hippocampal neurons and astro-cytes under anoxic condition.